The Crown Imperial was called the ship of dreams. It was, it really was. On her hull rested the memories of nearly every head of state across the galaxy. No government could claim her, she was a neutral platform where all soldiers, diplomats, and ordinary persons could come to relax and forget about the terrors that lurk behind ever pulsar. Hidden in the shadows are danger and fear, the true demons of the night: on the Crown Imperial they held no favor. Her luxury and elegance from stem to stern gave a lopsided battle and the darkness limped back into the Abyss. As true as her namesake, she embodied stately grace for every passanger who could afford a stateroom, modest accomodations for those of the middle classes, and the most exquisite steerage berths on any ship amongst the stars.


The White Nova Line held a prestigious record for impressive ships and the Crown Imperial made the rest of her fleet-mates appear as scowls. Drifting lazily above Eriadu on her fourth trip of the year, she was surrounded by tenders, cruisers, and various personal craft, the latter of which contained busy eyes, drinking in every detail of her fine lines and almost feminine beauty. She was large than an Imperial- and Victory-class Star Destroyer combined, space for over thirty thousand souls atop a crew a tenth of that within her bulkheads. The Crown Imperial was second to none and accordingly the waiting list for a ticket was quite extensive and held on it some of the most prominent names in the cosmos.


" Magnificent vessel," Rear Admiral-Baron Telan Desaria remarked to no one in particular as he too greedily gazed on the massive passenger liner. His shuttle made a long loop along the port-side around the bow to the landing-bay on the starboard-aft quarter, giving him an excellent view of the sparkling pool below the bridge and the stylish plasma-release funnel with its maneuvering fin. Even I can be impressed.


" Your Excellency," interrupted a voice from behind. Desaria turned to greet it. Malek, his bodyguard, was looking quite upset. " I beg you to reconsider. Please allow me to accompany you - you are not safe here!"


" Lieutenant, I will be fine. I will remain armed at all times; I have the transponder just in case. This is a vacation. You will remain aboard the Prometheus and shadow the ship. Try to relax. Your dedication is noted, but is not required this trip."


" Admiral, we are docking," called the voice from the cockpit. The Rear Admiral smiled and headed aft.


This voyage hasto cheer him up. By the Gods I pray for success, now more than in any battle.


When the shuttle landed inside the glowing shield of the launch bay, the ramp departed and Desaria anxiously awaited another ship's approach: that carrying his mate.

"Irtar Damathis Mal'Gro!" shouted Tiana, looking fiercely at the teen who had just been about to poke at a Twi'lek's tails.

Irtar had never been off Dantooine before this, and he had never seen these others species before. It was all so strange, so exotic.... so interesting! The closest he had ever come to aliens was over the Holonet and the broadcasts the family would recieve from time to time, depending on where Dantooine was in it's orbit.

Irtar quickly pulled back to get an odd look from the Twi'lek whom humphfed and continued on her way.

"You're no fun..." Irtar said grumpily. His parents were always trying to hold him back from doing anything really great or exciting! When he was on his own, he would SO leave her and his dad behind. He didn't need them!

"How would you feel if someone came up and started playing with your hair, hrm?" Tiana said, putting her hands on her hips and looking firmly at Irtar whom began to shrink. He hated that look.... The look only mothers can give.

"I guess I wouldn't like it that much at all...." Irtar said softly before making his way to somewhere else on the shuttle, to look out upon the large expanse of space.

"Already in trouble and we haven't even gotten there yet. Heh." Indarin said as he came up behind Irtar and rubbed his head mockingly. Getting a swat from Irtar to get his older brother to back off. "Dad! Irtar tried to hit me!"

"You boys calm down! You're bothering the other passengers!" Argas shouted, looking from the datapad he was looking over. (A list of activities)

Indarin laughed as he ran off, getting a growl from Irtar. If not for the aliens, he would've asked to just stay at home.

The young Dantooinian turned to look out the viewport into the swirling realm of hyperspace. It was really enchanting. A great twisting expanse of purple and black. Not like anything he's ever seen before. It was so... purple and twisty....

Irtar's father had been saving up for years apparently for this trip about the rim in the greatest luxury liner in the galaxy. It was to give the kids a chance to see strange new sights and cultures, and simply for Tiana and Argas to get away for a bit. You can only farm so much for so long before it gets dull and you need something to get the blood pumping.

They had a large 3rd class suite (They needed room to fit the family in) on the Crown Imperial. It was probably some simple ship, like Irtar saw near the Spaceport. Nothing too strange or impressive.

"We'll be exiting Hyperspace in 5 minutes folks, thank-you for flying Raioballo Transports and we look forward to having your patronage again in the future."

That was when Tiana and Argas started gathering up the kids and their bags, preparing to make the transfer once they docked and to make their way down to the room. Irtar grumbled and got in a bit of a squable with the kids before Tiana and Argas broke them up, threatening a firm spanking when they get to their room.

That's when Irtar saw it through the large viewport on the ship.

The brilliant orb that was Eriadu and then a couple of different ship types. A Mon Calamari Cruiser, a Star Destroyer, a couple of Corellian Corvettes (probably privately owned), and a couple of other ships from around the galaxy. And in the midst of this veritable spree of docking, was his destination.

The Crown Imperial.

"Wow." was all Irtar could say, as the transport made it's approach.

A dug looked at the ship before the freighter and had a greedy look in the corner of his eye.

If that isn’t a jewel among ships then what is?

Soon he was pulled out of his thoughts and he dropped down from his chair, soon a dug and a quarren appeared at the end of the freighters ramp.

"I don’t like this at all... there are imperials and other kind of people spending their time here... what if our true meaning to be aboard this ship is revealed? We will be probably locked up and punished by execution even..."

The quarren spoke nervously to the dug as they walked down the ramp of the freighter on, which they had arrived on. The dug snorted in his usual habit and laid an angry look on the quarren.

"You worry too much Jezk, this is the perfect place for the change and there are so many people that it will be hard to catch us doing anything illegal, besides people are here to relax not to chase smugglers. We have rooms in the second class, luckily the boss was nice enough to get us on the second class and that is the place they might will last suspect us since with our current clothes we would be quite suspicious in the first class..."

Jezk shook his head and mumbled something to him, they were wearing regular clothes and they were sort of robed. They had few blasters and explosives with them in case of emergency, but Jezk held the merchandise within his robes. The security seemed quite light since everything was neutral as they claimed so they wouldn’t be seen as suspicious, just few alien buddies gone to a trip to have a good time. Rac walked onwards on his two back limbs, the two made their way out of the hangar and looked around with a smile as they arrived to the deck where their rooms were located. At that moment it seemed that the worries of those two greedy smugglers were gone forever. Rac smiled and Jezk let out a strange watery voice.

"I think that we are going to have the time of our lives here Jezk when the job is done and after that...."

Rac looked around with a smile as he spoke, it was much better what they usually had to travel on or live in on Tatooine.

Once I’m rich enough and out of the illegal business I should buy one of these...

The bag flew threw the air to roughly land atop the increasingly large pile in Steda's arms. Moving his body around abit, he did his best to distribute the weight before he was sent sprawling to the floor on his back. This was getting to be a servere nuisance.

"Uhm Sir, I really wouldn't mind if you told me to take a vacation on Mon Calamari or something. I've always found the water planet to be a luxury. I mean really Sir...." Steda grunted as yet another heavy bag was launched into his arms." Mon Cal can be fun."

"Commander, you are far too long over-due for a vacation. You're taking one whether you want it or not. That's an order." Throwing his gaze around the room that General Tempho himself had paid for, the senior military man locked his eyes on the door. "Now get out of my room and into yours before I'm forced to hit you. This ship is easily large enough for us to not see each other until the end of the journey. That is also an order. If I see any sight of you I might have to break military command. You're a good man Steda, you deserve a break. Take it, you don't know when the next one will be."

A hint of dissapointment showed in Steda's eyes as he made his way to the door. How on Naboo could he be here when the New Republic needed what men it could get. It seemed so unfair that he should get a holiday while other men got death. He didn't want to die but he wanted, at least, to be there fighting with his brothers. Fighting the Empire.

As he weaved his way through streams of passengers aboard the luxurious ship the thoughts seemed to endlessly pour within his mind. His entire body seemed to be in two parts whenever he thought of his career in the military. It felt so right to be fighting for peace but it felt so wrong with the lack of other things for him. He wanted to know love. To look into anothers eyes and see an eternity of endless passion and a mixture of feelings so strong that they could not be broken.

It seemed a horrible shame that even in a military as kind as the New Republic, love was still something that military personnel should not mix with work. Steda had no life outside the military, therefore he had no oppertunity to find love.

It came with a slight shock that he bumped into a large Quarren. So lost in his thoughts had he been that he had not even noticed his arrival at the deck of his room. Muttering his apoligies to the disgruntled alien he unlocked his door. Entering his room that was both luscious yet small at the same time he decided a walk to the promonade deck would make for a good excuse to explore his surroundings. With a heavy heart he set off.

Jezk was suddenly bumped into by a human man who soon was on his way apologizing, Rac couldn’t help a smile creeping on his face and came to Jezk speaking with a lowered voice.

"Nice hit Jezk do you realise what would have happened if the container would have dropped, all we would need is a hole security patrol on our tail and the day would be complete, not to forget that this is the first day... don’t try to mess this thing up.. You know that I`ve got a huge amount of money stashed away and there aren’t too many years when I can dump these jobs... you of course will always stay the same..."

Rac shook his head and continued walking as Jezk walked after him slightly cursing in his own language; Jezk looked back at the human with a small blaze in his eyes.

That could have been close..

Rac thought as he opened the door to his room and took a container from Jezk who had been carrying under his robes, if the container would have dropped then they would be already chased down by he security for holding illegal artifacts that usually were worth a lot of credits, especially when you spoke of Jedi artifacts and those that really meant something. Rac closed the door and looked around at the cosy looking room; he reached his hand out and opened a small hatch in the floor that had been quite rudely made by some earlier visitors at the room today, but not that it would be seen out too easily. They had been few of thugs that had already left the ship because they already had a clear record of criminal acts and they had spent time in jail.

Rac and Jezk on the other hand had not yet been arrested nor identified among the officials at least in this part of the galaxy. Rac placed the container carefully there, but took out the merchandise and wired the container and the hatch as a decoy. The artifact itself would be in a much clever place. Rac a false bottom of the hatch and placed the artifact there, but placed an small gas bomb inside to blow when the false bottom would be raised unless disarmed, which required serious skill. Anyone who would realise the false bottom without being prepared would have a small nap, but the information of the intruder would be revealed to Rac and Jezk due to a clever sensor in the hatch.

Rac closed the hatch with a smile, besides it would raise suspicions why someone would raise such a racket in someone’s room without a permission of being there. Luckily there were no cameras in the room nor in the other rooms except some on the 1st deck or so did he suspect. Rac left the room and left Jezk to his own beginning to look around the ship with great interest, noting all security systems for a case of emergency, but tried to be looking always in the other way because it could raise suspicions.

The shuttle that landed, disgorged a short and thin human male, and departed again was far removed from the military vehicle that had preceded it. Both craft were Lambda-class but different enough to reflect the passangers contained there. Bearing an Imperial Rear Admiral, the first shuttle was immaculate, polished, and flown by a veteran pilot whose turns were crisp and precise. The second carrying a young man from the world below was a great deal dirtier and emblazoned with some corporate emblem. Its pilot was competent enough but certainly not someone qualified to ever set behind the controls of a vessel in His Majesty's Navy.


Rear Admiral Desaria noticed the rather unkempt appearance of the black-painted craft, wondering why it was even present: a special shuttle had been chartered from RimInc, ferry service of excellent standing. The answer was quick to the Imperial's mind. He missed his shuttle. I'm honestly not suprised.


The Kuati aristocrat regarded the fellow treading towards him, a droid and his bags in tow. He instantly forgot every care of slovenly flying and sloppy paint-jobs for his heart swelled. The man was a full head shorter than Desaria with a short-cut mane of black hair and blue eyes that looked as if they embodied the depths of Calamari's seas. He was thin, frail almost, certainly not a soldier, or police officer, or any sort of civil official. Indeed he was of note in the private sector, an artist.


" Markus," Desaria intoned, bowing slightly and offering his arm to approaching figure. " Telan," came the reply, a bit colder than the Imperial would have liked. He seized on it immediately.


" Something troubling you, my dear?"


Markus Ariell held his reply until they were clear of the first class launch bay and into a broad corridor more reminiscent of a palace-hall than a ship's component. " I had an opening last week."


Rear Admiral Desaria smiled. " I know - your work was lovely. I had a friend in the Civil Defense Corps observe in my stead and take a wealth of holos. Your talent never ceases to amaze me."


Many might have thought the praise empty but not coming from this particular Imperial. He was a man smitten, taken in by the wiles of love and held tightly against all release. His was a heart that beat strong next to another, so loud now in fact that it thundered from stem to stern. Its echo, however, the other half of the pair, was decidedly less uproarious.


" Yes, you weren't there. Again."


Desaria lead his lover around a corner and into the que before four staircases that lead to the executive area. Remembering the emerald chandelier denoting the location of their quarters, he lead Markus up a flight and tossed a casual left-handed salute to three members of the ship-security force who came to attention at his passing.


" Markus, I was on duty. We've been having a spat of trouble near Hutt Space and I was ordered to...neutralize the threat. I returned as soon as victory allowed."


The younger man stopped, the droid carrying his bags backing off suddenly as if it would have run them both over. He looked into Desaria's own sparkling green eyes and planted a quick kiss on his lips. " Sometimes Tel, I wonder who you love more, the Empire or me."


The younger man snapped his fingers and droid followed him. THe Imperial stood, wordless, in the center of a concourse. He ignored those swerving around him and sought against hope for an answer. I love you both.

There was a crowd gathered around the Crown Imperial. As with every departure, there were onlookers a plenty - but this passenger liner was not any ship. The crowd was tremendous and all but blocked her path as a flotilla of tugs guided her from her berth. She made only four runs a year and the White Nova Line made each one memorable: no two runs were alike. The large ship slowly cleared the yard and let loose several projectiles that drifted away then exploded magnificently. Their was a brilliant display of colours of every kind, the staccato sounding of explosions accompanied far and wide by the typical 'ooh's and 'aah's.


Aboard the bridge there echoed the tradition commands of a vessel getting underway. Reports came in of all gauges reading normal and the Captain stood tall as he took pride in every second of his final voyage. In the reactor-control room droids twittered nervously amongst one another and the central computer, copious amounts of plasmized energy was fed into the twin-hyperdrive engines. In the broad observation galleries, occupants of all classes watched as the Crown Imperial accelerated with practised care and then rocketed into hyperspace.


In the private stateroom of the ship's highest-ranking passenger, Rear Admiral Desaria took the time to enjoy the panorama of whites and blues and occassional patch of yellowy-green. He found himself transfixed by the changing patterns and realized he had never taken the time to simply stare off into space without a care. " You painted something like this, didn't you?"


Upon a nearby bed sat another man, younger than the Admiral, watching intently the one-line jokes of some comedic holocast from Corellia. He grunted something that may have been vague construed as an affirmative response.


" It was very beautiful. I purchased it from an auction-house on Thyferra and had it installed in my study aboard the flagship. A slight reminder of you when I am far away."


Desaria unfastened the double-breast of his tunic and removed it altogether, placing the green-uniform jacket over the arm of a chair. Tapping a console opened a wood-inlay door that revealed a small closet space. " We have been invited to dine with the ship's Captain this evening. It is a formal affair."


" I brought a suit." The younger male continued his gaze at the female and male martial troubles, accenuated at every turn by poorly written jokes and an annoying yet occassionally loveable house-droid.


" Is it formal enough, I wonder? What colour?"


More silence.


" Are you ignoring me?"


Desaria suppressed a growl. He had had enough. Taking off at a run he crossed the distance from the closet to the bed and collided with his black-haired companion. The Admiral tackeled his lover and pinned the man to the bed. Try as he might, the civilian had no hope of resisting the professional soldier. Desaria straddled the man's midsection and looked into warm, welcoming blue eyes. Then he looked beyond into the soul.


" Markus, I have not always been able to be there for you. I have off many times, many times I wanted to be home with you. But I am bringing order to the galaxy, a lofty goal that through conquest brings food to the masses, and wealth to the wealthless. I have no regrets about the serving the Empire, but I do lament being away from you. I have been promoted and decorated countless times, but no ceremony gives me more pleasure and joy than when you are by my side. No matter where I have gone, no matter how long I have been away, my love for you has never waivered. That you can always be sure of." With that, Desaria leaned down and gently kissed his other-half. Then as rapidly as he had come he was off and returned to cloest, from which he drew his white dress uniform.


" Get dressed. We are expected in an hour."

"A beautiful vessel, is it not truly?" said the brevet capitan of the relief crew, looking out at the Imperial Crown from the bridge of the Imperial Star Destroyer now insystem.

"Yes it is. And this is just the external view. I cannot wait to see the inside of the marvelous vessel and gaze upon her interior." replied Capitan Kraken of the Eminence.

"I was on a similar vessel last year, except one earmked for Imperial officials only. I think you will enjoy your stay." said the brevet captian.

"Indeed. So you know your orders?" asked Kraken.

"Yes sir. I and my crew are to take the Eminence to Kuat Drive Yards to undergo an overhaul and repainting." said the brevet captian.

"Very good. Well, if there are no other questions, then I shall be off." said Kraken.

"Very good sir. See you again in several months time." said the brevet capitan.

With that, the two men shook hands, exchanged salutes, and then departed, the former to take control of the bridge, the latter to the hangar bays, where the line of shuttles conveying the officers and enlisted men would depart to the cruise liner to begin their much needed vacation after several months of hunting down pirates in the Outer-Rim Territories.

* * *

The Lambda class shuttle extended it's wings and departed from the hangar bay of the Star Destroyer. It was just one of three shuttles on it's way to the cruise liner, and each shuttle was being escorted by a flight of four TIE Fighters, the Imperial 46th Escort Squadron, recently formed from the remains of several squadrons involved in recent pirate combat activity. The fighters would be docked within the cruise liner, their pilots also deserving a good rest.

Sitting in the shuttle's passenger bay, Park Alexei Kraken looked out at the expanding liner's hull, and let a slow smile expand on his lips. Perhaps he would be lucky and meet someone with whom he could become acquinted with. He brushed such thoughts aside for the moment and merely enjoyed the old prospect of getting away from it all, and being allowed to enjoy the finer things in life for at least a little while before he had to return to his duties.

As the shuttle docked, and it's passengers dis-embarked, a young shipmate walked up to him and delivered to him and the others a message that there was soon to be a meeting celebrating the depature of the grand vessel, and that it would be in about thirty minutes time. In the meantime, several porters and their hoversleds arrived to take their luggage to their respective cabins in the first class area of the ship. Looking around in wonder as they went, they departed from the shuttles and starfighters docked in the bay and headed torwards their cabins.

Observation Deck

Steda watched in a state of mixed feelings as The Crown Imperial moved away from the cluster of surrounding ships and began the start of its long journey. As he gazed off into the serenity of space a man briskly approached him from behind. With his eyes traveling over the distant correlations of stars and his mind did it's best to work out which constellations he'd been to he gave no thought to the man getting closer. As soon as the mysterious man was within striking distance he spun on his heel and drew into a form of military combats, preparing to defend himself. It was only when he noticed the look of shock upon the mans features and the White Nova Line uniform that he wore that Steda allowed his posture to relax.

"Forgive the intruding sir, I'm here at the Captain's request." The man raised his chest in pride." You are cordially invited to dine with the Captain and a select few at tonights dinner. The dress is formal and you are expected at Six. Though of course if you do not wish to attend that is entirely your choice however this is a rare opportunity."

Steda mixed the thought around in his head. Though he despised sitting around with dignitaries talking about how the galaxy should be run it seemed like a chance that might not repeat itself any time too soon. After all it was very rare that a common Commander in the New Republics forces was asked to eat with men of higher rank than himself. Staring at the crewman he asked the first question that came to his mind.

"Why would the Captain wish to dine with me?"

"Why, I do believe that the recommendation was made by one General Tempho."

Typical Tempho style. It seemed sometimes that the General had made it his personal mission to force Steda into engaging in areas that weren't military related. With a sigh Steda decided that perhaps the man was right. His life seemed to be one military campaign after another.

"You may tell your Captain that I shall be there."

"Very good Sir. Have a pleasant evening."

As the crewman walked off, no doubt in search of others who would be asked to join the Captain that night, Steda threw one last look at the stars he loved. Deep within himself he made a vow. One day, maybe not for a long time, but one day I shall visit many of you. Joining the mainstream of traffic that were headed down the corridors, Steda set off for his room to get changed.

* * * *

Dining Hall

The Captains table was, to say the least, beyond extravagant. Designed to seat twelve it was not the largest table in the dining hall but it was easily the most expensive. It was in a state of slight awe that Steda seated himself with the nine others. Each of the people sat around him seemed completely at ease, yet Steda himself was so overwhelmed by the sheer luxury at which he would be dining that he found himself feeling extremely out of place. It was clear from the way his company acted that they were no strangers to dining with important people. He was focusing so much on his thoughts that he failed to even take true note of the fact that he was siting next to two Imperials.

From the grand wooden doors that opened one of the corridors into hall, the Captain strode forward, dressed in his full uniform. He briskly walked over to his table and nodded at each of his guests who rose in greeting to him. Seating himself at the head of the table, the others followed suit, he cleared his throat.

"As you may have noticed we await only the arrival of our last two guests. I am more than pleased to inform you that tonight we shall be dining with none other than Rear Admiral Desaria and his partner ."

Like Steda, everyone at the table knew the name of the Admiral. His exploits were spoken of so often on the holo-net that his name, on some planets, had become house-hold used. Though the stories you heard of the man varied greatly from planet to planet. As did his reputation.

"And alas, here is the man himself." The Captain rose from his seat and gazed over at two doors opposite to where he had entered. First to emerge from the grand corridor came a well dressed man that, had one not already seen his image on the holo-net, was easily recognizable as a Rear Admiral simply from the way in which he held himself. Behind him, seemingly attempting to hide in his lovers shadow, came a stunningly beautiful man.

Far inside Steda's body his stomach was churning as it hastily jumped around. His heart seemed to be pumping so loudly that it blocked all sound from his ears and he felt as if he'd just been plunged deep into space. As Desaria and Markus arrived at the table the Rear Admiral offered a tight smile to all gathered before launching straight into a conversation with the Captain. Mirroring that of his lover, Markus did the same. When his eyes fell upon Steda, Steda could of sworn the smile became slightly warmer. His cheeks suddenly flushed red and he was forced to look away. Had someone just turned the heating up eight notches?

As the night edged further and further on, as the men drank more and more Endorian port, as the food was ordered and served Steda constantly found his eyes drawing back to Markus. Several times he conversed with a Mon Calamari on his right side yet throughout the conversation he would find himself only half paying attention to the Mon Cal. No matter how hard he tried Steda could not shake his thoughts away from the young man opposite him. Whether Markus was laughing at a joke that had just been told or listening intently to someone talk about a fascinating piece of art that had just been discovered he never once lost the warmth that filled his eyes or the smile on his face. Only once did Steda notice that smile falter, when Desaria chose what meal his lover would have that night.

Feeling full from the wonderful food that had graced his plate that evening, Steda rose alongside and announced that he would retire for the evening. Realizing that he might have no further opportunities to see the angel that had sat across from him Steda decided for once in his life, to act on the moment. While Desaria was speaking to a waiter that had came to take the dirty dessert plates away Steda lent down beside Markus and whispered in his ear.

"I don't know about you but I find this stuff incredibly boring. I have it on good advice that there's a party down on E-deck tonight. If you feel like meeting for a drink there I'll be arriving at about Ten." Raising himself back up Steda turned, thanked his host for a great night and departed with a great deal of others.

" I don't know about you, Admiral, but my portfolio is strictly Arakyd. It is a common enough trait for automation prevail and the way Republic agents are buying up droids I can't help but feel the market to be on the up-swing."


Rear Admiral Desaria let a smile crease his face as he considered what the elder man said. His was a wise point from a singular point of view, but one that lacked enough depth to be more than meal-banter. The Kuati nobleman, however, was not above idle banter in the company of fellow sophisticates.


" A unique perspective, Captain. I admit, I have concentrated my investments into KDY for obvious reasons. " A chuckle replied from the listening males at the table. " I have found that a wider array of secondary stocks can bring in a sizeable income as well - not to mention a tinge of civic responsibility. Think - where would we be if no one had given us a chance? Even if we lose a few hundred thousand credits, we have a clear consceince and no appreciable fiancial loss..."


The salad came and went, as did the appetizers. The main course was perfect and elegantly laid out to a fault. From far and wide came the finest delicacies that were poured over and picked at by older men watching their cholesterol and young women watching their weight. The time came and went and before any man realized the chronos were past three hours since the commencement of the meal. Many of the guests had already departed the dining hall and several of the attendees at the Captain's Table were visibly tired or completely disinterested.


" Gentleman," intoned the Captain, standing tall and straightening out his dark blue uniform jacket. " May I invite you all for a brandy?"


Three men stood, each in resplendent evening wear, and trailed off behind the ship's master having given leave to their dates and wives. Rear Admiral Desaria leaned over to Markus and was quick to note that his head snapped from one direction to another faster than ever. With a quick glance Desaria took notice of a Republic officer, young and handsome and not at all unattractive. He wore the insignia of a junior rank and bowed slightly when the two made eye contact. Respect was offered and returned with a similar gesture.


Rear Admiral Desaria cocked an eyebrow then placed his sneaking suspicions into a mental abyss - he was all too often thinking things that never were. " My dear, would you like to join-"


Markus huffed with a smile on his face. " I doubt I can sit through anymore talk of Sienar Fleet Systems stock of the strategic importance of the Tion Cluster. I'll head off."


The Admiral was preparing to retort when Markus stood and departed, hot on the heels of Lady Alsas Morideau, wife of the Chief Executive Officer for Corellian Engineering. Desaria sighed and departed after the other gentleman where a good brandy awaited.





He checked his chrono with a slight bit of nervousness on his brow - ten minutes to ten. Almost running down the corridors he made excellent time to he and his lover's stateroom where formal attire was chased in for something flowing and decidedly more modern. Resuming a fast pace, he descended into the bowels of the ship just a deck below first class into second. By a lone lift-tube he stood wearing a red silk shirt that clung very close to a defined yet unmuscular frame atop dark coloured slacks.


Around a corner came an the object of distraction from an hour before. " You're a brave man, mister - guess that comes with the uniform. I'm Mark."